Christmas in Forsyth 2022

in Forsyth

INSIDE: See a Christmas parade, a festival of trees, other local holiday events, holiday performances and more.

FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS

The parade begins at Forsyth Central High School and continues down Tribble Gap/Castleberry Road to the Cumming Fairgrounds. The Christmas Festival at the Cumming Fairgrounds is from 6-8 p.m. The Cumming Fairgrounds is at 235 Castleberry Rd., Cumming, GA 30040.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year in the City of Cumming! Hundreds of people line the streets to view the magical lighted parade on this festive night.

Join the city after the parade for a Christmas festival inlcuding the tree lighting, vendors, Christmas crafts, pictures with Santa, and more!

When: 5-8 p.m., Dec. 3, parade and festival Where: Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Rd, Cumming GA, 30040 Contact: (770) 781-3491 or cityofcumming.net

The annual Jingle Jog will be at the Cumming City Center this year. Get in the holiday spirit with this fun event.

There will be awards for race times, prizes for the best costume, decorated stroller, most festive and more. Proceeds from this race go to support Forsyth County Community Connection.

The group’s work supports foster children and their families. The community coalition spreads awareness to prevent child abuse and neglect.

There will be a 5K and 1K Kids Fun Run (kids 10 & under) The 5K participants will receive a long sleeve T-shirt and medal. Kids Fun Run participants will receive a T-shirt and fun run medal.

Packet Pickup: Noon to 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, at Big Peach Running Co-Cumming, 5485 Bethelview Road, Suite 430, Cumming, GA 30040. Race Day begins at 7:30 a.m. Virtual runners can pick up packets during this time. Virtual packets will be mailed after Monday, Dec. 12, if not picked up.

Where: Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA US 30040 Contact: www.facebook.com/ConnectForsyth

Cumming City Center

On Saturday, Nov. 19 — for the first time ever — the Cumming City Center held its Christmas tree light ing. Vendors were selling their wares, excited to tell patrons about the opening of the retail stores. Some will open in December and others in early 2023. For more infor mation, visit cummingcitycenter. com or find them on Facebook at Cumming City Center.

Photos by Ashlyn Yule Forsyth County News

Where: 276 Woodland Drive, Dahlonega, GA 30533. Located off Hwys. 19/60, 4 miles north of Walmart in Dahlonega. Hours: 3 p.m. to dark, Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m. to dark, Saturday; 1 p.m. to dark, Sunday. Closed Monday. Contact: Dave Horton (678) 897-9009, on Facebook at Holly Hill Christmas Tree Farm @HollyHillTreeFarm.

Bottoms Tree Farm

Bottoms Tree Farm has over 5,000 choose and cut Christmas trees. There’s a huge selec tion of Fresh Cut Fraser Firs from North Carolina in the barn. Just show up with friends and family and be prepared to make a memory that will last a lifetime cutting your very own Christmas tree. All fourlegged family members are welcome if they remain on a leash.

When: 3-6 p.m., Monday-Thursday; Noon to 6 p.m., Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday; closed Sunday, through Dec. 17. Where: 5880 John Burruss Road, Cumming, GA 30040 Contact: (770) 887-2728, visit bottomstreefarm.com, or on Facebook and Instagram at @bottomstreefarm.

Kinsey Family Farm

Kinsey Family Farm has a plethora of trees available to choose from. The farm offers a variety of ways to harvest a Christmas tree including choose and cut your own, pre-cut, and living trees in containers. This year is the farm’s 19th anniversary and as is ‘our tradition we love to give a small gift to our visiting friends the annual pewter Christmas tree ornament.’ The ornament is included with the purchase of a Christmas tree, while supplies last and doesn’t include Charlie Brown trees or table toppers.

When: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Where: 7170 Jot Em Down Road, Gainesville, GA 30506 Contact: (770) 887-6028, kinseyfamilyfarm.com, or on Facebook and Instagram @kinseyfamilyfarm.

Photos by Jeremy Coleman

Slate’s Christmas Trees

Fresh Cut Fraser Firs from the North Carolina mountains ranging in size from 4- to 13-feet tall. They also sell fresh garland and wreaths.

When: 3 to 8 p.m., Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays. Season open until all trees sold out. Where: 419 Atlanta Rd, Cumming, GA 30040 Contact: (770) 354-3695, www.facebook.com/SlatesChristmasTrees

B.L. Mullinax Landscaping

B.L. Mullinax Landscaping & Shrubbery is a local, family-owned business that has been doing business in Forsyth County for more than 30 years.

Where: 1886 Peachtree Parkway, Cumming 30041 Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday. Contact: (770) 781-9823, on Facebook at B.L. Mullinax Landscaping & Shrubbery, Inc., @blmullinaxshrubbery

Photos by Tracie Pike Slate and Parker Amos hold one of the trees available at Slate’s Christmas Trees on At lanta Road on Saturday, Nov. 19.

Sawnee Association of the ArtsCumming Arts Center

Festival of Trees is back at the Cumming Arts Center. Artist decorated 2- to 4-foot trees and wreaths are on display and sale at the Arts Center at the Historic Brannon-Heard House, 111 Pilgrim Mill Road through Dec. 17.

Nativities will also be on display. The center is open 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. The gift shop will include a Christmas Gift Market.

Photos by Jeremy Coleman

This year is the 20th anniversary of Aerial’s House. It was started by retired Forsyth County Fire Chief Danny Bowman during the 2002 Christmas season in response to learning of the surprising number of children in Forsyth County that did not receive or could not be provided gifts by their families each year.

Toys are needed to fit all age groups, from newborn through 18 years old. Gift cards for retailers are accepted. These are a good fit for older teenagers and will allow staff the option to purchase items for particular cases of need. Forsyth County fire stations and the public safety complex at 3520 Settingdown Rd, Cumming, GA 30028, will accept new, unwrapped toys and winter coats through Dec. 9.

A coat drive will also be a part of Aerial’s House this year. New or lightly used/clean winter coats can be dropped off with toys for families that need coats for the winter and can be for all ages/sizes. The coat drive was added several years ago. Both programs continue to be a strong success and see increased demand for donations year over year.

Anyone donating large quantities or for more information can call Public Safety Educator Jeff Lyons at (678) 513-5899, or visit www.forsythco.com, and navigate to the Forysth County Fire Department.

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The Place of Forsyth County

Holiday House is a Christmas shopping experience for families who are 200 percent above the poverty level. Hundreds of volunteers create the retail-size store complete with holiday music, decorations and the selections of gifts.

The event will be Dec. 12-17 at Freedom Tabernacle Church, 2160 Freedom Pkwy, Cumming, GA 30041.

For more information, email HolidayHouse@theplaceofforsyth.org, or call 770-887-1098, 770-288-0088

Halcyon Holiday Magic

11 a.m. to 3 p.m., December 3

Visit Santa at Halcyon and kick off the holiday sea son. Meet and take photos with your favorite charac ters including Minnie and Mickey Mouse, Anna, Elsa and Spiderman. Each child can visit the Northside Hospital Teddy Bear tent to get their own teddy bear to take home, give it a check up and then take a photo together.

There wull be musical entertainment, face painting, balloon artists, caricature art ist, ornament-making and more. Plus 25 different Halcyon dining options for brunch, lunch, coffee, hot chocolate and treats. Santa will be available for photos from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. No appointment is needed. Please bring new toys to donate to The Place of Forsyth - Holiday House.

Where: 6365 Halcyon Way, Alpharetta, GA 30005

Contact: Facebook Halcyon Holiday Magic, www.visithalcyon.com

Santa Paws

1 p.m., December 11

Bring your whole family, including your dogs, to Halcyon for Santa Paws — a special event benefitting Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelters.

The $25 donation covers a professional sitting fee and a high resolution down load of your photo. The donation also includes a free puppicino, a Halcyon dog gift, a paw print ornament from Board & Brush and more. There will be mer chants in the Green, so you can pick up some holiday gifts for your pup. FurKids will also be onsite with adoptable dogs. Register for a photo sitting at furkids. org/tickets/santa-paws-at-halcyon-2022.

Santa Claus will also be at Brunch and Brews at Cherry Street Brewpub from 10 a.m. to noon, Dec. 7, and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., for Holiday Kids Club.

Where: 6365 Halcyon Way, Alpharetta, GA 30005

Contact: Facebook at Halcyon Holiday Magic, or www.visithalcyon.com

Ugly Christmas Sweater Bar Crawl

6 p.m., December 15 at Halcyon

The Annual Halcyon Ugly Christmas Sweater Bar Crawl is back and better than ever. Your $12 ticket includes an incredible night of fun with a special Christmas cocktail menu, photos with the Grinch and a visit to “Whoville Brewville.”

For details, find Ugly Christmas Sweater Bar Crawl on Facebook.

Where: 6365 Halcyon Way, Alpharetta, GA 30005

Woodland Christmas at The Collection Weekends through December 18

Visit Santa Claus in a woodland themed Christmas setting this holiday season at the Collection at Forsyth. There will be free photographs with Santa Claus and Christmas train rides. Bring your camera and cellphone to take photographs with Santa Claus.

When: 1-4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays until Dec. 18 Where: The Collection at Forsyth, 410 Peachtree Parkway, Cumming Contact: Visit collectionforsyth.com, or visit on Facebook at The Collection at Forsyth

Live Christmas Play Nativity - WildeWood Farm

6 p.m., December 9, 10 and 11

Experience a live re-telling of the Christmas story that split the history of the world from B.C. to A.D. Step back into time to Bethlehem, Israel over 2,000 years ago.

Light snacks and beverages will be available for purchase, or you can bring your own. Event is outdoors, so wear warm clothes.

Where: 5150 Oak Grove Cir, Cumming, GA 30028 Contact: (770) 843-2478 , www.wildewoodfarminc.com

Ashebrooke Night of Lights

For one night during the holidays, our neighborhood comes together and lights luminaries throughout the subdivision in support of a good cause.

The neighborhood adopted this tradition in 2006 as a way for us to help a young girl and her family in the community. Friends of Forsyth County and beyond, we give a heartfelt thanks for your continued support through the years.

Where: 5020 Luke Drive, Cumming, GA Contact: Visit Ashebrooke Night of Lights on Facebook for more details.

Joe Gransden Quartet

3-8 p.m., Dec. 17

Quartet. Joe And The Band Will Have You Singing And Tapping Your Toes To Your Favorite Holiday Classics. Hear songs like Let It Snow, It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas, Happy Holidays and Sleigh Ride.

Renowned for the hard bop of his trumpet, Joe Gransden’s singing voice has been compared to Chet Baker And Frank Sinatra. Whether it’s a concert stage, or ballroom dancing, Joe Gransden delivers an evening of unparalleled entertainment.

Christmas with Victoria 8 p.m., Dec. 21

Come enjoy a meal downstairs at Tam’s Backstage, and then head upstairs to lis ten to Victoria Sing a collection of opera, jazz, Broadway, And Christmas Classics. Please join us for an operatic Christmas with Victoria Hill, Miss Georgia 2019 And First Runner Up To Miss America 2020.

Victoria is the recipient of several vocal awards such as the George Shirley Vocal Competition and the Schmidt Vocal Competition. She studies opera at the prestigious Eastman School Of Music In Rochester, New York, with plans of becoming a professional opera singer.

Victoria will be performing several selections including opera, Broadway and Christmas classics. She will be accompanied on the piano by Brian Osborne, a music professor at Reinhardt University and a wonderful pianist.

Tam’s School Street Playhouse

Where: 101 School St, Cumming, GA 30040 Contact: 770-781-9178, email boxoffice@schoolstreetplayhouse. com, or visit schoolstreetplayhouse.com